1. Only certain diaper rash creams should be used on babies wearing cloth diapers. Most commercial creams create a barrier on the inner material and cause the diaper to repel instead of absorb moisture. Others contain cod liver oil, such as A&D Ointment, and there’s nothing worse than fishy diapers.

2. Only certain detergents should be used on cloth diapers. Check out the list here.

3.  The yeast on the cloth diapers needs to be killed or the rash will continue to come back. I added a tablespoon or so of bleach to every hot water cycle, then added vinegar to the rinse cycle, and finally ran an extra cold water rinse with nothing in it until the rash was gone.

4. Some disposable wipe solutions will feed the yeast. So, I continued to use my cloth wipes and a homemade wipe solution. For the solution I mixed 2 t. vegetable oil, 1/8 t. Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild liquid soap, and 1 c. water.

5. There are natural ways to treat a yeast diaper rash on a cloth diapered baby. We laid our baby out to air dry during the day. I rubbed virgin coconut oil (it has anti-fungal properties) on him and hoped he didn’t get too cold (since it’s in the 20s outside). He had to be in a diaper for naps though, so we used MotherLove cream since it is safe for cloth diapers and fights yeast. I also gave him acidophilus powder to suck off my finger since it is known to stop the growth of yeast.

Our babe is now better, but I am going to run one more cycle of bleach and vinegar in his diapers to make sure the yeast is long gone! Phew!

Our “baby” just turned 2 and we now have a 3 month old. Both are cloth diapered except when we’re traveling or at church (I just can’t ask the nursery lady to deal with a poopy cloth diaper). It took a lot of convincing for my husband to buy into it wholeheartedly. Whether or not he’s excited about it now doesn’t matter because he supports my conviction and I love him all the more for it.

So, here’s what we’re doing…
Diapers
* 2 year old — combination of a) fitted diapers w/ covers, b) one size diapers w/ covers c) all-in-ones (AIOs); all of these were given to us
* 3 month old — since his birth we have used prefolds w/ snappies and covers; we purchased them from a local seamstress
* Both boys get a diaper doubler at night.
Wipes
We use cloth wipes and a homemade wipe solution for both boys, except when the 2 year old has a poopy diaper. We use disposables for those jobs and flush them with the poo.
Dirty diapers & wipes
We toss them in a large waterproof diaper bag that hangs in the laundry room until laundry day. (The bag is scented with 2 lavender drops, which keeps any smells at bay.) If there is a nasty diaper, I soak it in the utility sink until the cling-ons are loosed. I’d say that happens about once a week. Then it’s taken directly to the washing machine.
Laundering
I launder the diapers and wipes every third day. I first soak them in cold water in the washing machine on my pre-wash cycle. (Cold water removes stains. Hot water sets them.) Then, I run a hot/cold cycle with Purex detergent. Once a week I run an extra rinse cycle on them.

I have been shocked at how easy it is to cloth diaper. If you’re considering it, ask those who cloth diaper lots of questions. Read and research. Then ask more questions. Figure out what is right for your family and go for it! I think we all have preconceived notions of what cloth diapering means. I sure did. If you really want to know the truth, ask those of us who are doing it. I am no expert, but I would be happy to share what has worked and what hasn’t. Good luck to you! It’s well worth it!

* Reuse spice containers. They make great treat holders for the diaper bag, car, or purse. The contents won’t get smooshed, either. In this photo, the crisps are stored in an old spice container. If they were still in the original bag, they’d be pulverized at the bottom of the diaper bag.

* Store used ziplocs under the sink. Then, reuse them when appropriate. They are perfect for the banana bread that is already wrapped in wax paper or when you need something to contain the stench of the chicken fat you just trimmed while it sits in the garbage can for a few days.

* Save cardboard cracker & cookie boxes. Cut open the box and use the blank, brown side for kids’ projects.

* Keep egg cartons. Cut off the top and use the bottom for different colored finger or tempera paints. Your little artist can simply throw away the carton when she’s done.

Please, tell us how you reduce or reuse!

So what is Teeccino? It is a blend of herbs, grains, fruits and nuts that are roasted to taste like coffee. You brew it in your coffee maker. No new gadgets required. Teeccino also claims health benefits. According to their website, Teeccino is

• Naturally caffeine-free – no processing, no chemical residues
• High in heart-healthy potassium
• Natural energy boost – from nutrients, not stimulants
• Alkaline – helps reduce acidity and restore alkaline balance
• Rich in inulin, a soluble fiber in chicory root, that helps improve digestion and elimination plus increases the absorption of calcium and minerals

If you want to give Teeccino a try, you can purchase their sampler which includes all ten of their flavors, from their site. Most local health food stores carry Teeccino as well. Give it a go. What I tasted was delicious.

Even though the plastic industry safety studies find no significant health effects from typical daily doses of BPA, 90% of government studies found harmful health effects to children and expecting moms as well as male sexuality and reproduction, according to Dr. Colleen Huber. She goes on to state that BPA acts as a “xenoestrogen,” which mimics the female hormone estrogen with the exception of the following: 1) it’s foreign to the body (which is what “xeno” means) and 2) it is much more harmful than our natural estrogen for both males and females. Breast cancers are much more of a risk in women who carry a high amount of xenoestrogens and both sexes are subject to a huge range of other harmful health effects. The most far-reaching effects are birth defects and miscarriages. Another effect is a disruption of beta cell function in the pancreas, which creates a pre-diabetes type condition of high blood insulin and insulin resistance. So it seems that none of us are safe from the affects of BPA.

A recent Canadian news source had the following to say:

“Bisphenol A manufacturers have said the trace amount leaching into food and beverages isn’t dangerous to people because it’s quickly metabolized into a form that loses its ability to act like a female sex hormone.
While the authors of the new assessment agreed that people break down some of the bisphenol A they absorb, they said since so many plastics and other products containing it are in use that “virtually everybody” in developed countries has chronic, low-level exposure to the chemical and measurable amounts of its biologically active version.
Typical readings are about two parts per billion in blood. Although this is an extremely small amount, hormones are active at this level, and at even lower concentrations.
Based on the amounts being found in people and what is known about the metabolism of bisphenol A from animal experiments, it also appears that human exposures are above the current U.S. safety limit, according to the assessment.

Now I should note that not all plastics contain BPA. We should mainly be concerned with plastics that come in contact with our food and water. You can learn more about plastics by reviewing the Smart Plastics Guide and matching the triangled number to what you currently own or are considering purchasing.

Here are a few items to consider for your baby. Oh, and be sure to read the San Francisco Chronicle’s article on the comeback of glass baby bottles.

1. Glass bottles. Evenflo makes them in two sizes — 4oz and 8oz. Siliskin is another brand that is totally hip. They come in 4 and 8 oz sizes as well and they have a silicone sheath that helps to prevent the bottle from breaking. WeeGo glass bottles are nice too. I believe they only come in 9oz sizes, but they are covered with a modern sleeve that will help protect the bottle from breaking.
2. Bio-plastic bottles. Born Free makes them in two sizes — 5oz and 9oz. Whole Foods and Amazon carry them as well as the company itself. Amazon even has their gift set with bottles and a sippy cup. Another option is the Green to Grow brand, which has a 5oz bottle and they’re so cute.
3. Snappies – Polypropylene breast milk storage bottles that enables moms to collect, store and feed from the same convenient container.
4. Medela breast pump storage containers and baby bottles are all made of Polypropylene, which is free of BPA.
5. Adiri Natural Nurser is made from 100% polycarbonate-free and bisphenol-a free materials that is warm to a child’s cheek, like a breast, when filled with warm milk. The nipple design helps alleviate nipple confusion for breastfeeding babies. Shaped like a breast, they encourage the same type of open-mouthed latching that is required for breastfeeding, making bottle feeding and breastfeeding more easily interchangeable. They come in three stages for three different flow rates. Each stage holds 8 oz. of fluid and is dishwasher safe.

Here are a few brands to consider for sippy cups:

1. Avent Naturally sippy cup (We currently use these and are happy with them)
2. Born Free sippy cup
3. Klean Kanteen water bottle with sippy adapter & spout
4. SIGG baby water bottles

If anyone has a suggestion on any of the above mentioned brands or any other brands not mentioned that you love, please leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you!

Well, I have had plenty of time on my own to experiment with my own smoothie blends. I must say though, that sometimes I just don’t feel like making the mess, so I splurge and pick up a pre-made one – either Odwalla or Naked. (And that’s Naked Juice, not naked me picking up a drink.) When I first discovered them, I wasn’t sure which was better, both in taste and ingredients, so I grabbed whichever one was on sale as long as it didn’t have added sugar. Now that I’ve had a few, done my nutritional research, and contacted both companies, here’s my take on the two companies…

Odwalla
Odwalla does not use any artificial sweeteners or processed sugars. They do however use organic evaporated cane juice and honey in some of their drinks. According to Verna from Odwalla, their organic evaporated cane juice is a natural sugar and is treated like a food from the time it is harvested until the time is goes into their bottles. The cane juice is pressed from sun-ripened sugarcane, washed, filtered and crystallized-all right on the farm. Verna told me that “yes, it is still cane, but we want to make sure that our consumers know it is not ordinary, as we feel it is very different from highly processed sugar.”

Odwalla Juices that do not have cane juice or honey are: Apple; Blueberry B; Berries Go Mega; Blackberry Fruit Shake; Carrot; Grapefruit; Mango Tango; Orange; Pomegranate Juice; Pomegranate Berry; Pomegranate Mango; Strawberry Banana; Super protein Original; Superfood Micronutrient; and Tangerine.

Naked Juice
I asked Dan, of Naked Juice, the same question I asked Verna – “Do you add any sweeteners to your drinks?” Dan’s response follows: “We don’t do that. Ever. There are absolutely no exceptions, and really, we don’t understand why someone would add sweeteners to juice. Juice is made from fruits. Fruits are sweet because they already have sugars in them. It’s our opinion that the amount of sugar Mother Nature put in the fruits is the exact right amount of sugar to be in Naked Juice.

Some specific comparisons:
Mango drinks
I enjoy fresh mangoes when they are in season, so finding a good mango drink is a treat. Odwalla makes “Mango Tango.” Naked makes “Mighty Mango.” Neither of these drinks have added sweeteners so I have had both. Naked’s drink has more of a typical smoothie taste with an apple juice base. There are in fact, more apples in the drink than mangoes. Odwalla’s Mango Tango, on the other hand, tastes like they have just squeezed the Mango right into the bottle. Mango Tango is thick and refreshing and I prefer it. Okay, I love it!

Vitamin C drinks @ 1000% daily value Vit. C
Odwalla makes Citrus C Monster fruit smoothie and Strawberry C Monster. Naked makes the following three: Power C, Strawberry-Banana C, and Tropical C. Both Odwalla drinks have cane juice, which I was afraid would result in a better taste than the Naked Juices, but I actually prefer the Naked Juices. Both companies drinks leave you wondering if they crushed up a million vitamin C chewables, but the Power C blend is much more pleasant. So, my favorite Vitamin C drink is the Naked Power C drink containing a blend of peach, guava, and mango.

I have tried a few other drinks from both companies, but I love the Mango Tango so much, that it’s hard to branch out and try other ones. Plus, I try to only grab one when it’s a treat. What a nice, healthy alternative to a visit to the Starbucks kiosk in Safeway. Cheaper too!

Smoothie Surprise

5-6 frozen, unsweetened organic strawberries
½ c. frozen, unsweetened blueberries
¾ c. 100% apple juice, chilled
½ c. water
½ medium zucchini, chopped
5-6 baby carrots
fistful of cabbage
1 small banana
¼ c. plain yogurt
1 T. wheat germ
1 T. oat bran
1 T. flaxseed meal

Pour the apple juice and water into the blender. Add the strawberries and blueberries and pulse until combined. Add the zucchini, carrots and cabbage, and pulse again adding more water if needed. Then toss in the banana, yogurt, wheat germ, oat bran, and flaxseed meal. Mix until you reach the desired consistency, adding more water or juice as needed. Serve immediately. Serves 4-6.

A few suggestions:
• Buy frozen strawberries and blueberries as well as bananas & baby carrots at your local warehouse club (Sam’s, Costco, BJ’s). If our bananas ripen before we can eat them, I peel and freeze them, which works out perfectly for smoothies. I puree my baby carrots and freeze them in ice cube trays if we can’t eat them fast enough.
• Instead of plain water, try seltzer water or club soda for a little extra zing!
• If the smoothie is for adults, consider using Dannon’s All Natural Plain yogurt which has 2 ingredients – milk and active yogurt cultures. If the smoothie is for children consider using Stonyfield Farm’s Organic Whole Milk Plain yogurt, which has a few more ingredients – milk, inulin, pectin, and 6 active cultures.
• Keep your flaxseed meal in the freezer and your wheat germ in the fridge.
• If you have some leftover, pour it into a pitcher and save it for dessert after dinner. It will keep for about a day in the fridge.
• Have fun experimenting with your own creations. I love to add pureed mango from our freezer if I have it on hand. Sometimes I don’t have a few of my favorite ingredients as listed above, but the smoothie still turns out great. (The photo above is minus blueberries. Normally, the drink is a lot darker.)

Oh, and why do I call it such a generic name — smoothie surprise? Well, because everyone I serve it to is shocked that’s there’s cabbage and zucchini in it!

2 T. flaxseed meal = 1 T. margarine, butter, or cooking oil

* When baking with flaxseed meal as a fat substitute, baked goods will brown more quickly.

1 T. flaxseed meal + 3 T. water (let stand for a few min.) = 1 egg

* This mixture works well in recipes such as pancakes, muffins, and cookies. It will result in a chewier version of the recipe.

Flaxseed can be substituted for fat because of it’s composition:
21% protein

42% fat (omega 3′s 24%, omega 6′s 6%, monounsat 8%, sat 4%)

28% fiber

6% carb

3% other

Oh and why would you go to the trouble of such substitutions? Flaxseed meal…

• Contains healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils—no trans fat or partially hydrogenated fat.
• An excellent source of alpha linolenic acid (ALA), a powerful compound that is converted by the body to healthy omega-3 fats.
• Contains more dietary fiber—about 28% of flax seed is dietary fiber—than other whole-grain ingredients.
• Highly soluble fiber lowers the glycemic index by slowing the absorption of sugars from the intestinal tract.
• Significant source of high-quality protein—protein ratio equivalent to that of beef, chicken, pork, or fish—makes flax seed ideal for vegans and vegetarians.
• The richest source of lignans—a phytoestrogen that affects the metabolism of estrogen—providing 75-800 times higher levels than other plant sources.
• Full of complex carbohydrates with little to no net carbohydrates.
• Packed with vitamins and minerals such as B-6 and magnesium.

Mmmm, bring on the flaxseed meal!!